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Ex-Pa. lawmaker gets ARD program in assault case

The Associated Press

Posted:
02/13/2013 10:03:07 PM EST

SCRANTON, Pa.—A former northeastern Pennsylvania state lawmaker has been accepted into a court-sanctioned rehabilitation program, avoiding a jury trial on charges that he assaulted his estranged wife and her friend last summer.

Police alleged that the former two-term Democratic lawmaker slapped his wife July 20 in Scranton and then punched her male friend and put him in a choke hold. His attorney said he hadn't assaulted his wife and was defending himself against the man.

The ARD program doesn't require a guilty plea and will allow Murphy's record to be expunged if he successfully completes his probation.